Do you remember the old Smokey the Bear commercials? They always said, "Only can prevent forest fires." Taken literally, of course, it's an absurd statement. You cannot personally be around to prevent all forest fires, and the truth is that you cannot prevent a spark of lightning from starting a forest fire even if you are in the area. However, the commercials made sense and had an impact because there are things that you can do to prevent forest fires. In the same sense, we can say that only … [Read more...] about Only You Can Prevent Elder Abuse
Texas History – Do You Know There are Streets in Texas that are Paved in Gold?
Proof of this can be found on a historical marker five miles south of Ringgold on U.S. 81. The pavement on sections of U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 in Montague County contains gold. When the two highways were being paved in 1936, sand for the concrete was taken from a nearby pit. Seeing glints of gold in the sand, the owner of the pit had samples tested, but although the laboratory confirmed that it was gold, there was only about 54 cents’ worth of gold per ton of ore, and it was very difficult to … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know There are Streets in Texas that are Paved in Gold?
Thought for the Day:
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. Amelia Earhart … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Tell Your Attorney About Everything
If you have not heard of James Iredell, you are not alone. He is one of the forgotten Founding Fathers of the United States. Iredell was a British Customs employee and North Carolina citizen. He became a leading advocate for revolution in North Carolina. Later, he became a leading advocate for ratification of the Constitution. Iredell was highly regarded enough for President Washington to appoint him as one of the first Justices on the United States Supreme Court. Iredell left behind many … [Read more...] about Tell Your Attorney About Everything
Texas History – Who Created the Stetson Hat?
The Stetson hat was actually the creation of Yankee ingenuity. John B. Stetson of Philadelphia, who went West to regain his health in the 1860's, fashioned himself a big hat that would protect him from rain, sun, and wind. After his return to Philadelphia, Stetson made a hat which he called "boss of the plains" and sent it to Western dealers. The Texas Rangers adopted the hat and found it could be used for many things: to drink from, water one’s horse, fan a campfire, blindfold a stubborn horse, … [Read more...] about Texas History – Who Created the Stetson Hat?
Thought for the Day:
I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
There is Nothing Macho About not Having a Living Will
Recently, former world champion boxer Hector "Macho" Camacho passed away after he was shot outside of a nightclub in Puerto Rico in what is believed to be a drug-related incident. There is an estate planning lesson to be learned from his death. However, it is a lesson that most people should have learned a few years ago when Terry Schiavo was in the news. Not long after Camacho was shot, doctors declared him brain dead and gave him no hope of ever recovering. If Camacho had a Living Will, … [Read more...] about There is Nothing Macho About not Having a Living Will
Texas History – What was the “Car-Barn Convention”?
The Democratic state convention of August 1892 met in the Houston streetcar barn because it was the only building large enough to accommodate all the delegates. The "car-barn convention" nominated James Hogg, who was re-elected governor that same year. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What was the “Car-Barn Convention”?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Linda McCartney (1941-1998) - Activist, Photographer, Musician, Entrepreneur Linda McCartney was an American photographer, musician, and animal rights activist. In 1969, she married Paul McCartney, and later joined McCartney’s band, Wings. She was granted the courtesy title Lady McCartney when her husband was knighted in 1997. McCartney wrote several vegetarian cookbooks and became a business entrepreneur, starting the Linda McCartney Foods company. As a professional photographer McCartney … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Celebrities Neglect Their Estates
It is almost always interesting how the wealthy and famous decide to distribute their fortunes after they pass away. The most interesting part is how often they make glaring mistakes that everyone should know to avoid. The biggest, and most common, mistake that they make is neglect. There are many examples. Sonny Bono neglected to get a Will and his ex-wife ended up with part of his estate. Jimi Hendrix also neglected to get a Will and his estate eventually ended up with an adopted … [Read more...] about Celebrities Neglect Their Estates
